<p>Does anyone besides me feel discouraged in terms of scholarships? I've spent a lot of time filling out a bunch, but I never hear back. Of course, the competition is insane, and I understand that. Anyone else feeling frustrated?</p>
<p>I felt the same way. However, I've realized that I've been applying for the wrong scholarships. Instead of applying to the highly publicized scholarships listed on FASTWEB, try applying for obscure local monies; becuase you are more likely to get those.</p>
<p>but, please don't give up. Becuase giving up pretty much seals your faith.</p>
<p>how do you find those local scholarships everyone talks about? living in la doesn't help, though, cause you've still got crazy competition</p>
<p>go to your high school's guidance/college counselor</p>
<p>I'm getting discouraged, but I haven't given up yet. I've applied to 13 scholarships so far and the only one I've heard back from is the Elks one, in which I've advanced at least to districts (no money yet though). I didn't make it past the first Coca-Cola round. I've applied to 4/5 local scholarships as well, but when they say "applicant must demonstrate financial need," I believe they're usually referring to applicants with incomes $40,000 and under, which I am not (my family's income is only a bit higher though).</p>
<p>phantom, I'm really sorry. I completely understand how you feel because I too have been rejected for some scholarships. I guess that "you win some and you lose some." Maybe you should talk to your high school's guidance counselor and get some advice from he/she about your situation. You should also look into local essay/writing scholarships because those usually don't require financial need.</p>
<p>good luck</p>
<p>furthermore, if your family's income slightly exceeds the $40,000 cutoff, then I still believe that you have financial need. Therefore, you should try calling the scholarship poeple and asking them if you would still qualify for a scholarship although your family makes a little bit over the cutoff.</p>
<p>Most of the local scholarships where I live ask say you must "demonstrate financial need." I wish they would be more clear. I too assumed >$40,000, and therefore did not apply. There was one I really wanted to apply for because it was called the Rebekah Scholarship, and my name is Rebekah. (Such I deep reason, I know....) I definitely don't want to take resources away from people who can't even afford to go to state college, but logically if one is attending a school that costs $42,000, one can make more than $40,000 and still have a financial need.
Edit: But I agree with above person though that if you're just a little above $40,000 (like even 50 - 60,000) you should still give it a shot. Maybe state what your parents' income is, your estimated college expenses, and any other circumstances like having a sibling in college or caring for a sick grandparent.</p>
<p>Anyway, good luck to everyone in getting scholarships! My school has made it (somewhat) easy for us to apply for local scholarships by having just one essay/application for most of the scholarships, though some require supplemental essays. It is sort of like the common app!</p>
<p>Well, I am giving those "fin need" scholarships a shot...haven't won any so far yet though...</p>
<p>UPDATE!!!</p>
<p>OMG, I just found out today that I WON a $2000 local scholarship!!! That makes everything worth it for me!!! To everyone out there, do NOT give up!!!! Go to your guidance office for local scholarships -- I would agree with everyone above that local scholarships are your best bets. Good luck to everyone out there. As for me, I've still got a dozen more scholarships planned. Never give up! Even if you don't win any, at least you'll know you've tried your hardest...You have nothing to lose...</p>
<p>Congrats phantom!!!!!!!!!!</p>
<p>Congrats phantom! Filling out scholarship forms sucks, but I think of it like this: </p>
<p>If I spend 20 hours on 15 scholarship apps and only win one of them for, say, $2000 that's still like making $100/hr.... about 17 times my normal crappy wage!</p>
<p>that's encouraging, but at the same time.. i feel like it's just not gonna happen for me. (applied to 6, did not win 4, waiting on 2 others)</p>
<p>you know what bothers me about scholarships? when i know exactly what kind of a winning essay i need but i don't know what exact topic to write about. the inspiration just doesn't come, and i end up missing the deadline after sitting in front of my computer and brainstorming for long periods of time. definitely frustrating.</p>
<p>i guess i should renew my efforts anyway and get back into the scholarship frenzy..</p>
<p>Yeah... I'm kind of just giving up. Besides, I just heard today that FAFSA takes money away everytime you win a scholarship, so if you don't win anything, they don't take anything right? Egh, then why waste so much time?</p>